Staple cartridge

ABSTRACT

A staple cartridge ( 7 ) containing staple blanks ( 8 ) which is intended to be releasably mounted to an electrically driven stapler ( 1 ), whose motor ( 10 ) is included in an electric current circuit ( 19 ) and is driven by this current circuit. In addition, a part of the current circuit ( 19 ) is disposed to the staple cartridge ( 7 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a staple cartridge containing stapleblanks, the cartridge being intended to be removably mounted in anelectrically driven stapler whose motor forms part of an electric powercircuit and is driven by this power circuit.

The present invention also relates to a stapler which is adapted tocooperate with the staple cartridge according to the present invention.

BACKGROUND ART

Staple cartridges adapted to be removably mounted in an electricallydriven stapler are common in the art. To name but a few of them, itmight be mentioned that such staplers and cartridges are disclosed inthe Applicant's own Patent Specifications EP 0 636 058, EP 0 636 059 andWO 2006/036098.

A feature common to these prior art staple cartridges is that thestaplers to which they are intended to be mounted carry out a commandedstapling stroke regardless of whether there is a staple cartridge in thestapler or not, or whether or not the staple cartridge is empty. Inaddition, the stapling stroke is carried out regardless of whether thecartridge is loaded with staples for thick or thin sheaves. This entailsthat, when the stapling stroke is carried out with an empty staplecartridge or without any staple cartridge being loaded in the stapler,no stapling will take place and the work carried out by the stapler willthus be unnecessary. The stapler carries out what is known as an emptystroke.

When the staple cartridge contains staples intended for thin sheaves, nosatisfactory stapling will be achieved if the intention is to staple athicker sheaf Nor will the stapling be satisfactory if staples for thicksheaves are used when thinner sheaves are being stapled. Further,because the stapling stroke is carried out regardless of the type ofstaple which is contained in the cartridge, each stapling stroke will becarried out on the assumption that the cartridge is loaded with stapleswhich require the most energy. Apart from this entailing unnecessaryenergy consumption, an increased noise level is also created which maybe disagreeable when a plurality of staplers are placed in the same roomand run at the same time. In addition, this circumstance also entailsthat the stapler proper is exposed to unnecessary wear.

Moreover, these prior art cartridges provide no information as to howmany staples are left at any given time in the cartridge. This mayresult in sheaves remaining unstapled because the cartridge is emptywhen stapling is ordered or that a series of staplings which is largerthan the number of staples remaining in the cartridge is ordered. Inaddition, there is a risk that the user does not order a new cartridgein time when necessary.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,654 describes a staple cartridge which is providedwith means which, in cooperation with the stapler in which it ismounted, make it possible for the user to ascertain the size of thestaples loaded in the cartridge. In addition, information is provided asto whether the cartridge contains staples or is empty. The property ofbeing able to ascertain the staple size loaded in the cartridge affordsthe advantage that it is possible to know what thickness of sheaves canbe stapled without difficulty and, as will readily be perceived, theadvantage of being able to ascertain that the cartridge is empty is thatno empty stroke stapling needs to take place. However, this patentspecification is silent as to whether these parameters are used toprevent stapling with an empty stapler from being carried out, i.e. thestapler carries out an empty stroke.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,633 discloses a cartridge which is provided withmeans which cooperate with means in the stapler in such a manner that itis possible to ascertain the size of the staples loaded in thecartridge. Nor does this patent specification provide any indication asto whether the stapling stroke is prevented if the incorrect staple sizeis employed, or whether the cartridge is empty, but the knowledge ofstaple size is used only to adapt the stapler for stapling of theintended sheaves.

JP 2002-196135 discloses a stapler which is provided with detector meanswhich detect how many staples are left in the cartridge. These meanscomprise a part which is disposed in the cartridge which is read off bya device disposed outside the cartridge. However, this reading isextremely inaccurate and the value measured is only used in such amanner that it is possible for the user to be able to estimate how manystaples are left in the cartridge.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,045 discloses a stapler which has a sensor devicedisposed outside the cartridge which registers the contents of thecartridge in such a manner that, when its contents are largely consumed,this is registered on a display which may be read off by the user of thestapler. However, this invention is such that the read-off only providesinformation to the effect that the store of staples in the cartridge ismore or less consumed, for which reason no read-off of values forcontrolling the stapler apart from the fact that the cartridge is emptyis obtained. Given that the read-off device is positioned on the outsideof the cartridge, this will be sensitive to disturbance, for whichreason the values which are read off may be unreliable.

Features common to these prior art cartridges are, however, that theyeither lack devices which prevent empty stroke stapling, or that theyare provided with means which provide only limited information on thecontents of the cartridge, or that values read off will, because of thedesign and construction of the cartridges, be extremely unreliable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

There is thus a need in the art to realise a cartridge which displayssuch a design and construction that it provides reliable informationabout its contents in such a manner that empty stroke stapling isprevented, and which reliably provides information about the contents ofthe cartridge for controlling the stapling stroke of the stapler and foruse of the stapler proper.

There is also need in the art to realise a stapler which is adapted tobe able to be used in cooperation with such a cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention thus provides a staple cartridge which displaysthe above-disclosed properties with a staple cartridge of the typedisclosed by way of introduction which is characterised in that a partof the electric power circuit is connected to the staple cartridge.

Further, the present invention is characterised in that the part of thepower supply circuit which is connected to the staple cartridge includesmeans which may store information as to the contents of the staplecartridge.

The present invention is further characterised in that said meanscomprise a memory circuit.

The present invention is also characterised in that said informationincludes information as to the size of staples loaded in the cartridge.

The present invention is yet further characterised in that theinformation includes information as to the number of staples originallyloaded in the cartridge.

The present invention is yet further characterised in that theinformation includes the number of staples remaining in the cartridge.

The present invention is still further characterised in that the currentcircuit displays a drive circuit and a control circuit.

Moreover, the present invention realises a stapler which displays apower circuit which is closed with the power circuit connected to thestaple cartridge. DR

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detailhereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In theaccompanying Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a stapler with a mounted cartridgeaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a staple cartridge according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the currentcircuit included in the stapler.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a highly schematic view of a stapler 1 which encompasses thepresent invention. It will be apparent from the figure that the staplercomprises a base section 2 and a stapler section 3 which are pivotablyconnected to a pivot shaft 4. The base section 2 and the stapler section3 may be moved reciprocally in relation to one another about the pivotshaft 4 in the stapling movement which is indicated by the double-headedarrow V. An anvil 5 is disposed on the base section 2 on which theworkpiece 6 which is to be stapled is placed. A staple cartridge 7 isprovided for the stapler section 3 and in which staples 8 are loaded inreel form and to which is connected a driver 9. In a manner per se knownto a person skilled in the art, the staple cartridge is removablymounted on the stapler, for which reason their interconnection will notbe described in greater detail herein. An electrically driven motor 10is positioned in the base section 2 which, across an interjacent linkage11, is connected to a drive arm 12 which is also pivotably journalled tothe pivot shaft 4 and, in its opposing end, connected to the driver 9. Afeeder device 13 is disposed at the base section 2 and which, in amanner which will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, advancesthe reel of staples 8 through an aperture 14 in the staple cartridge 7.

FIG. 2 shows the staple cartridge 7 in detail. A device 15 is disposedat the cartridge and is provided with first and second electricconnecting means 16 and 17, respectively. The device 15 forms a currentcircuit section 18 of the current circuit arrangement which will bedescribed below.

The current supply arrangement 19 is apparent from FIG. 1 and comprisesa first conductor section 20 which extends between a positive pole 21and the connecting means 16 on the cartridge 7. The current circuitthereafter runs through the device 15 which forms the current circuitsection 18 and through the second connecting means 17 to a secondconductor 22 which is connected to the motor 10. From the motor 10 runsa third conductor section 23 which is connected to a negative pole 24.On the first conductor section 20 there is disposed a switch 25 and onthe second conductor section there is disposed a display unit 26.

The stapler 1 operates such that when the switch 25, in a per se knownmanner, closes the current circuit 19, the current I runs through theconductor 20 to the connecting means 16 and further through the device15 whereafter it runs over the second connecting means 17 through theconductor 22 to the motor 10 and thereafter through the motor to theconductor 23 and further to the negative pole 24.

When the current I runs through the motor, the motor 10, via the linkage11, drives the drive arm 12 whereby the base section 2 and the staplerunit 3 are moved towards one another into contact with the workpiece 6.Thereafter, the drive arm 12 drives the driver 9 further in a directiontowards the base section 2 whereby a staple is driven into the workpiece6, whereby stapling of the workpiece is realised in a per se knownmanner. During this sequence, the feeder device 13 cooperates with thestaple reel 8 and advancement of staples takes place to a position inwhich the driver 9 operates.

Thereafter, the motor continues to drive the base section and the stapleunit in an opposing direction from one another to the position which isillustrated in FIG. 1, and the stapler has thereby executed one staplingoperation and is placed in position to carry out a new staplingoperation.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the current circuitarrangement 19. In this alternative arrangement, a microprocessor 27 isincluded. A conductor 28 is connected to the microprocessor from thepositive pole 21. A conductor 29 is connected from the microprocessorand leads to the device 15 disposed on the cartridge, and from thedevice 15, a conductor 30 returns to the microprocessor 27. From themicroprocessor, a conductor 31 leads to the motor 10 and from the motor10 a further conductor 32 runs to the microprocessor. Finally, aconductor 33 runs from the microprocessor to the negative pole 24. Inthis arrangement, the current I runs so that, from the positive pole 21,the current runs through the conductor 28 to the microprocessor 27. Fromthe microprocessor, the current runs further through the conductor 29 tothe device 15 disposed on the cartridge. From this device, the currentruns back to the microprocessor 27 over the conductor 30. Depending uponthe type of signal emitted by the device 15 to the microprocessor 27,the microprocessor further transmits a current through the conductor 31to the motor 10 for operation of the motor, and through the conductor 32the current thereafter continues to the microprocessor 27 and thenceover the conductor 33 to the negative pole 24. Thus, this currentcircuit arrangement encompasses a drive circuit arrangement 34, and acontrol circuit arrangement 35. The current I in the drive circuit 34runs from the pole 21 through the conductor 28 with associated switch25, the microprocessor 27, the conductor 31, the motor 10, the conductor32, the microprocessor 27, the conductor 33 to the pole 24. The currentI in the control circuit 35 runs from the microprocessor 27, through theconductor 29, through the device 15, through the conductor 30 withassociated display 26, to the microprocessor 27.

The device 15 may consist of a per se known electric element such as amemory circuit which, in a per se known manner, may contain informationabout the size of staple which is loaded in the cartridge, how manystaples there are in the cartridge at any given time or whether thecartridge is empty. This information may, in a per se known manner, beprocessed in the microprocessor and the microprocessor may emit acurrent to the motor which is adapted in relation to the contents of thecartridge.

In that the device 15 through which the current I runs is positioned onthe cartridge, it will be ensured that the stapler cannot be started ifthere is no staple cartridge mounted in the stapler. Moreover, since thedevice 15 is positioned on the cartridge, it will be ensured that thesensing of the contents of the cartridge transmitted to the device 15will be extremely reliable and precise and not subject to externaldisturbances.

The display 26 disposed on the conductor 22 consists of a display of perse known type which may digitally display and convey to the user of thestapler information concerning the contents of the cartridge and therebyalso provide the user with information about how the stapler may beemployed.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the stapler 1displays a current circuit arrangement 19 which partly runs through thestaple cartridge and is closed when the staple cartridge is fitted tothe stapler, which entails that if there is no cartridge in position inthe stapler, no stapling will take place.

The present invention is not restricted by the foregoing description,but is restricted only by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A staple cartridge containing staple blanks which is intended to bereleasably mounted to an electrically driven stapler whose motor isincluded in an electric current circuit and is driven by this currentcircuit, characterised in that a current circuit section of the currentcircuit is disposed to the staple cartridge.
 2. The staple cartridge asclaimed in claim 1, characterised in that the current circuit sectionincludes a device which is rehearsed to store information on thecontents of the cartridge.
 3. The staple cartridge as claimed in claim2, characterised in that the device is a memory circuit.
 4. The staplecartridge as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said informationcomprises information as to the size of staples loaded in the cartridge.5. The staple cartridge as claimed in claim 2, characterised in thatsaid information comprises information as to the number of staplesoriginally loaded in the cartridge.
 6. The staple cartridge as claimedin claim 2, characterised in that said information comprises informationas to the number of staples remaining in the cartridge.
 7. The staplecartridge as claimed claim 1, characterised in that the current circuitcomprises a drive circuit and a control circuit.
 8. A stapler whichincludes a releasable staple cartridge and an electric motor which isdriven by a current circuit, characterised in that the current circuitis closed by a current circuit section disposed to the staple cartridge.9. The staple cartridge as claimed claim 2, characterised in that thecurrent circuit comprises a drive circuit and a control circuit.
 10. Thestaple cartridge as claimed claim 3, characterised in that the currentcircuit comprises a drive circuit and a control circuit.
 11. The staplecartridge as claimed claim 4, characterised in that the current circuitcomprises a drive circuit and a control circuit.
 12. The staplecartridge as claimed claim 5, characterised in that the current circuitcomprises a drive circuit and a control circuit.
 13. The staplecartridge as claimed claim 6, characterised in that the current circuitcomprises a drive circuit and a control circuit.